The film Serenity is based on the short-lived Joss Whedon television series Firefly
(2002). Firefly told the stories of nine people on a smuggler. In addition to the crew of five, there was a
registered companion (whore), a preacher, and two fugitives. While all nine of these characters appear in the film,
Whedon wisely holds off on introducing two of them until the viewer can get comfortable with the other characters and the situation.

Although Serenity picks up shortly after the final episode of Firefly, familiarity with the television
series is not essential to enjoy the film. The movie opens with a sequence which provides the background to the universe and
the specifics of two of the characters, Simon and River Tam. This is done well and in a way which will provide needed information
to the first time viewer and additional information to the fans of the series.

In fact, one of the areas in which Serenity excels is the ability to present background information in a way which
doesn't feel like an infodump and gives information to fans of the series as well as those who haven't seen it. Whedon has
selected the areas of the show he wants to explore in the film and manages to build up the mystery and provide a satisfying
resolution. At the same time, he addresses other ideas from the series in an off-hand manner which lets fan know he remembers
the issues, but doesn't serve to alienate those who haven't seen the television episodes.

The story told in Serenity focus on Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), the captain of the ship, but also on River
Tam (Summer Glau), the fugitive whose brother rescued her from the Alliance, the central government of the solar system. From
the opening of the film, when the audience sees the world through a young River's eyes, it is clear that her mystery will form
the core of the movie, and yet Whedon manages to make her a figure of inscrutability. Mal, who isn't introduced until well into
the film, is Whedon's everyman, despite his rather abrasive personality and the flexible code of honor he demonstrates. Despite
his faults, Mal invokes a sense of loyalty from his crew and respect from the other elements of the demimonde in which he deals.

Given that many of the actors in the film had fourteen television episodes to find their characters, it isn't surprising that
the nine costars all have a good handle on their roles. They appear to have fallen back into the camaraderie which suffused
the television show, whether the unrequited love between Kaylee and Simon (Jewel Staite & Sean Maher) or the good-natured
antagonism between Wash and Jayne (Alan Tudyk & Adam Baldwin).

Serenity is not just an extended episode of Firefly. The original pilot for Firefly,
the two part episode also called "Serenity" had the same feel as the other episodes. The film is able to build slowly and
linger on shots. There is no need to edit to fit the mandatory commercial breaks of television. Furthermore, the film is
darker than the television show, even the darkest episodes, although humor is never too far from the surface.

Despite being based on a television show, familiarity with Firefly is not necessary for enjoyment of
Serenity. The film stands on its own, as it must if it is to be successful. Naturally, those who have
watched Firefly will have a deeper understanding of the characters, their relationships, and history. In
either event, the film stands as one of the best space operas ever filmed both in story and in visuals.

Steven H Silver is a four-time Hugo Nominee for Best
Fan Writer and the editor of the anthologies
Wondrous Beginnings, Magical Beginnings, and
Horrible Beginnings (DAW Books, January, February and
March, 2003). In addition to maintaining several
bibliographies and the Harry Turtledove website, Steven
is heavily involved in convention running and publishes
the fanzine Argentus.